CA Practice Module (Part -1) January, February, March PDF

CURRENT AFFAIRS PRACTICE MODULE-1 (January, February, March)  1 CURRENT AFFAIRS PRACTICE MODULE-1 Directions (1-5) Read the following passage and answ...

CURRENT AFFAIRS PRACTICE MODULE-1 (January, February, March)  1 CURRENT AFFAIRS PRACTICE MODULE-1 Directions (1-5) Read the following passage and answer the (b) To stimulate rural consumption and boost economic given questions. growth. Ahead of the general elections, the Centre has notified a 3-10 per (c) To curb migration from rural to urban areas. cent increase in the wage rates for MGNREGA workers for the (d) To address income inequality in rural India. financial year 2024-25. The new wage rates will come into effect 2. How did the MGNREGA wage hike impact rural labor from April 1,2024. While Goa (10.56 per cent) and Karnataka markets? (10.4 per cent) have seen the highest percentage increase, wage (a) It led to a decrease in the demand for rural labor. rates in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are set to see the lowest increase at 3 per cent for FY’24-25. Andhra Pradesh (10.29%), (b) It resulted in an increase in the supply of rural labor. Telangana and Chattisgarh (9.95%) saw robust percentage (c) It reduced informal employment opportunities in rural increases. The average MGNREGA wage increase across India areas. is ₹28 per day. The average wage for 2024-25 will be ₹289 as (d) It improved wage bargaining power for rural laborers. against ₹261 for FY’2324. Currently, Mahatma Gandhi National 3. Which of the following factors contributed to the need for Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) wages a wage hike under MGNREGA? are decided based on changes in the CPI-AL (Consumer Price (a) Decline in rural poverty rates. Index- Agriculture Labor), which reflects inflation in rural areas. Rural Development Ministry, which administers the MGNREGA (b) Increased agricultural productivity. scheme, had recently obtained the Election Commission’s (c) Rising rural inflation. permission to notify the revised wage rates as the model code of (d) Reduction in rural unemployment. conduct is already in force across the country for the upcoming 4. How did the MGNREGA wage hike affect the government’s General Elections. In absolute terms, Haryana will get the budgetary allocation for the program? maximum wage of per day. The lowest has been fixed for (a) It significantly reduced the government’s budgetary Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland at ₹ 234 per day. Last year, the burden. Rural Development Ministry announced the MGNREGA wage (b) It had no impact on the government’s budgetary increase for 2023-24 on March 24. The wage increase ranged allocation. from 2-10 per cent. (c) It necessitated an increase in the government’s Earlier this year, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural budgetary allocation. Development highlighted that the wages were inadequate and not in consonance with the rising cost of living. It also flagged the (d) It led to the reallocation of funds from other social high range of variation in MGNREGA wages across States. It had welfare schemes. asked the Rural Development Ministry to explore the feasibility 5. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee of revising the base year and base rate of the MGNREGA wage. Scheme was launched by Govt. of India in all Gram Currently, the base year for MGNREGA wage calculation is , and Panchayats of districts Mahendergarh and ________ on 2nd this was seen as obsolete. Besides the necessity to increase wages, Feb 2006. the Parliamentary Panel had also flagged the delay in dispensing (a) Sirsa (b) Charki Dadri the wages. The Centre had, in the Union Budget 2024-25, allocated (c) Bhiwani (d) Ambala ₹86,000 crore for MGNREGA. This was at par with the revised Directions (6-10) Read the following passage and answer the estimate for MGNREGA in the ongoing financial year 2023-24. given questions. Besides the Centre’s notified wage rates, States can also provide a wage rate over and above such level for the beneficiaries. The gap between the estimated number and actual cases of tuberculosis (TB) is closing, according to the India TB Report 1. What was the rationale behind the wage hike under the 2024 released by the Union Health ministry. This is an important Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee marker as the “missing cases” are assumed to not have received Act (MGNREGA)? treatment, continuing to spread the infection to others. There were (a) To align rural wages with inflation rates. only 2.3 lakh missing cases in 2023, as compared to 3.2 lakh the 2 CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 PW year before, the report states. This gap has been reducing over the 9. What percentage of TB cases in 2023 were reported by the years, especially with the government’s Nikshay portal tracking private sector? all TB patients. (a) 10% (b) 20% According to the report, the majority of the TB cases (c) 33% (d) 50% are still reported by the government health centres, even as 10. World Tuberculosis Day, observed on _______ each year. there has been an uptick in notifications by the private sector. (a) 21 March (b) 22 March Nearly or 8.4 lakh of the 25.5 lakh cases reported in 2023 (c) 23 March (d) 24 March came from the private sector. To compare, only 1.9 lakh cases Directions (11-15) Read the following passage and answer the were reported by the private sector in 2015, the year considered given questions. to be the baseline by the programme that is geared towards the elimination of the disease. A recent report that focused on the current status and outlook for youth employment in India paints a grim picture of the country’s The estimated incidence of TB in 2023 increased slightly to widely touted ‘demographic dividend’, which appears set to waste 27.8 lakh from the previous year’s estimate of 27.4 lakh. The away unless there are immediate and targeted policy interventions. mortality due to the infection remained the same at 3.2 lakh as per ‘The India Employment Report 2024’, by the Institute for Human the data. These estimates are based on a new methodology that Development/International Labour Organisation, posits a bleak India developed and has since been accepted by the World Health outlook for the approximately 7-8 million young people being Organisation. added to the labour force each year, with youth accounting for Last year, when the in-country model was used to estimate the almost of India’s unemployed workforce. Even more distressing number of cases and deaths due to tuberculosis, there was a sudden is that among the unemployed, the proportion of educated young drop in the mortality figures seen in the global report released by people, those who have had a secondary level education or higher, the WHO. India’s TB mortality dropped from 4.94 lakhs in 2021 had almost doubled to as of 2022 , from in 2000. Also, graduates to 3.31 lakhs in 2022. The number of cases reported in a year also among the youth experienced a nine times greater unemployment went down from 29.4 lakh in 2021 as per the previous method to rate than young persons who could not read or write (3.4%). These depressing statistics underline both an absence of jobs capable of 27.4 lakh in 2022 , according to the data. absorbing educated young people aspiring for better paying jobs The report shows that India reached its 2023 target of and the shortcomings in the quality of education that are leaving initiating treatment in of patients diagnosed with the infection. It large numbers of educated youth still incapable of qualifying to says of those diagnosed were offered a test to check whether their meet job criteria. Further, wages, after accounting for inflation, infection was resistant to the first line drugs, an increase from in have either stagnated or witnessed a decline. 2015. The programme recommends drug susceptibility treatment The window for India to leverage its sizeable cohort of youth to ensure that people who may have drug resistant TB are able to for wider socio-economic gains is fast closing, with the share of access e therapies from the get go instead of being treated with the young people forecast to decline to by 2036 , from in 2021. As first-line therapy initially. the report’s authors note: “Unemployment and the rate of youths 6. What is the primary cause of tuberculosis (TB)? not in employment, education or training are high, and working (a) Bacterial infection conditions among a majority of employed youths are poor, although the economy has been growing at a high rate. This severely (b) Viral infection constrains the realisation of this potential [the harnessing of the (c) Fungal infection demographic dividend].” Other trends, be it the significant gender (d) Parasitic infection imbalance in the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), with the 7. What is the goal of India’s TB elimination efforts by 2025 women’s LFPR of in 2022 about 2.3 times lower than the for men, ? or that of workers still have informal jobs, essentially emphasise the lack of a concerted overarching policy vision to ensure better (a) Reduce TB incidence by jobs for all. The Chief Economic Adviser’s hand wringing over (b) Eliminate TB completely the government’s limitations to engender change has to only be (c) Reduce TB-related deaths by juxtaposed against the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee’s (d) Achieve zero TB-affected families facing catastrophic primary policy mandate ‘of promoting maximum employment costs along with stable prices’ to realise intent ultimately holds the key. With the general election process underway, politicians have their 8. How is the India TB Report prepared and published task cut out to ensure jobs and the quality of education and training annually? for a technologically evolving economy are accorded primacy not (a) By the World Health Organization (WHO) just in their campaigns but in policy formulation thereafter. (b) By the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 11. Where is the headquarters of International Labour Government of India Organisation? (c) By private healthcare institutions (a) New York, USA (b) London, UK (d) By international NGOs (c) Geneva, Switzerland (d) Brussels, Belgium CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 3  12. The Institute for Human Development (IHD) was established WhatsApp, as per a media report. in the year On the other hand, the ‘Rignai Pachra’ is meticulously (a) 1995 (b) 1996 crafted by skilled artisans using indigenous materials and (c) 1997 (d) 1998 techniques, garnering significant interest among urban 13. Disguised unemployment generally means: dwellers, particularly in metropolitan areas, for its traditional allure. (a) large number of people remain unemployed Risa, which received a Gl tag early this month, is known (b) alternative employment is not available for its surprising and stylish designs, exclusive multi-colour (c) marginal productivity of labour is zero combinations, and lasting texture. It also carries great significance (d) productivity of workers is low for the art of Tripuri. The Tripuri tribal women make all the 14. Which of the following types of unemployment occurs when fabrics, including Risa, with the help of loin looms. there is a mismatch between the skills possessed by workers They make Risa with multi-coloured warp and weft threads and the skills demanded by employers? on the loom and create the most amazing, stylish designs, said (a) Frictional unemployment an official from the DoNER Ministry. The Gl tag ensures legal (b) Structural unemployment protection against unauthorised imitation or misuse of these (c) Cyclical unemployment products, safeguarding their authenticity and preserving the cultural heritage associated with them. (d) Seasonal unemployment This recognition also facilitates market access and promotion, 15. Which sector is the largest employer in India? both domestically and internationally, thereby fostering economic (a) Agriculture (b) Manufacturing opportunities for local communities involved in their production. (c) Services (d) Construction Moreover, the Gl tag serves as a catalyst for sustainable Directions (16-20) Read the following passage and answer the development initiatives, encouraging responsible production given questions. practices and empowering indigenous communities involved in Tripura’s two iconic products - ‘Matabari pera prasad’ offered the production and trade of these products. at the famous Tripureswari temple and ‘Rignai pachara’ textiles, The queen pineapple of Tripura, is another product that has representing a traditional hand-woven attire meticulously crafted already got a geographical indication (GI) tag with the initiative by skilled artisans using indigenous materials - have been of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation bestowed with the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag. (NERAMAC) along with 12 other fruits and vegetables of With this, in a row three traditional products from Tripura Northeast, said officials here on Monday. have got international recognition this fiscal. Early this month, Besides queen pineapple of Tripura, Arunachal Orange, Mizo the Northeastern State’s ‘Risa’, a hand-woven cloth worn by the Chilli, Kachai Lemon, Khasi Mandarin, Tezpur Litchi, Sikkim indigenous communities of the State, had received the tag. Large Cardamom, Karbi Anglong Ginger, Naga Tree Tomato, Another indigenous product with the queen pineapple of ‘Chak-Hao’ Black Rice, Memang Narang, Dalle Khursani and Tripura, is another product that has already got a Gl certification Naga Sweet Cucumber have also got the GI tag. is mouthwatering nutrient rich queen pineapple. 16. Which was the first Indian product to get the geographical Excited at the recent development, Chief Minister Manik indication tag? Saha said on Sunday in a Facebook post, “I am glad to inform (a) Aranmula Kannadi (b) Darjeeling Tea that ‘pera’ (prasad) of Tripureswari temple and ‘Rignai Pachra’, (c) Katarina Rice (d) Madhubani Paintings a traditional cloth for women of indigenous tribes, have been given the Gl tag.” Prasada Rao, the former CEO of the Tripura 17. Who issues Gl tag in India? Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) was equally beaming with (a) Geographical Indication Registry pride as he said, “I am happy to share that Tripureswari temple’s (b) The patent authority of India ‘pera’, made of milk and sugar, and ‘Rignai Pachra’ textile were (c) World Trade Organisation accorded the prestigious Gl tag on Saturday.” ‘Pera’, is renowned (d) Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India for its unique taste and cultural significance deeply rooted in local traditions while the ‘Rignai Pachra’, a garment holding symbolic 18. Which of the following is the benefit of getting GI Tag? value within Tripura’s cultural tapestry, reflects the rich legacy of i. It helps consumers to get quality products of desired the region’s textile heritage. traits. According to locals, with increasing demand for the peda ii. Legal protection to the products among locals as well as visitors, there has been an entry of iii. Promotes the economic prosperity of the producers of companies that have started marketing the product to customers Gl tagged goods across the world. The peda can now be ordered online from (a) Only i,ii (b) Only ii,iii interested buyers from far-off places as well as on Facebook and (c) Only ii (d) All i,ii,iii 4 CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 PW  19. Pokkali is a unique saline tolerant rice variety that is 21. In which Olympics was field hockey introduced for the first cultivated in which of the following state? time? (a) Andhra Pradesh (a) 1900 Summer Olympics (b) Odisha (b) 1908 Summer Olympics (c) Kerala (c) 1912 Summer Olympics (d) Karnataka (d) 1920 Summer Olympics 20. What is the time limit of the GI tag? 22. The highest governing body for field hockey is: (a) 10 years (b) 20 years (a) International Hockey Association (c) 50 years (d) For an unlimited time (b) International Hockey Federation Directions (21-25) Read the following passage and answer the (c) International Hockey Council given questions. (d) International Hockey Committee Indian Men’s Hockey Team Vice Captain Hardik Singh won 23. Who is the first Indian to win the FIH (Fédération the prestigious Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of Internationale de Hockey) Player of the Year award 2019? The Year 2023 award in the Men’s category. Notably, he also won (a) Manpreet Singh (b) Dhyan Chand the Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year (c) Ajit Pal Singh (d) Bharat Chetri at the Hockey India 6th Annual Awards 2023, which took place in 24. Which country hosted the first Men’s Hockey World Cup the national capital on Sunday. in 1971? This honour recognizes Hardik’s exceptional talent, (a) India (b) Netherlands dedication, and outstanding contributions to the sport over the (c) Spain (d) Pakistan past year. His unwavering commitment, exemplary leadership as the Vice-Captain of the Indian Men’s Hockey team, and 25. Belgium and _______ will jointly host the 2026 hockey unparalleled performance have made him a standout player in the women’s and men’s World Cups simultaneously. global hockey circuit in the year gone by. The journey of the 25 (a) Netherlands (b) England -year-old player to the summit of the sport has been nothing short (c) USA (d) India of inspirational. Beginning his career with remarkable promise, Directions (26-30) Read the following passage and answer the Hardik has evolved into a lynchpin of the Indian Men’s Hockey given questions. Team, showcasing exceptional technical prowess and strategic The Law Commission Chairman, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, acumen on the field. has resigned from the commission after a 17-month tenure as the The midfielder has been pivotal in guiding the team and not chairperson of the commission and will take oath as one of the just earning accolades for himself but also bringing immense three judicial members of the Lokpal at 11 am on Wednesday. pride and glory to the country. Justice Awasthi assumed his tenure in November 2022 as The 25-year-old, who hails from Jalandhar, also won the chairperson of the Law Commission of India, along with five Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year members of the commission. He gave his resignation to the 2022. Expressing his delight at winning the award for the second Ministry of Law and Justice on Tuesday. consecutive year, the midfielder said, “I would like to thank my The President of India recently appointed Justice Lingappa teammates, coaches and the support staff for putting their faith in Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav and Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi as the me. This will further push me to perform even better. Honestly, I judicial members of Lokpal. didn’t expect to win as there were a lot of strong contenders like Before the Law Commission, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi was the Harmanpreet Singh, PR Sreejesh, who have been outstanding in Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court from October 11, 2021, the past year. I believe we had a roller coaster year as a team. to July 2, 2022. He was a judge of the Allahabad High Court from I honestly feel that I am accepting this honour on behalf of the April 13, 2009, to October 10, 2021. entire team.” Justice Rituraj Awasthi graduated in law from Lucknow “There is an increased amount of responsibility when you University in 1986 and enrolled as an advocate on February 1, get such individual awards and recognition. I feel that when 1987. He earlier practiced civil service, and educational matters the federation gives you such prestigious awards, it means that at Lucknow Bench, Allahabad High Court. He also worked as they trust you and you should be able to perform to your best in an Assistant Solicitor General of India at Lucknow before his matches that you play,” he added. elevation. Having made his senior international debut in 2018, Hardik According to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Singh has proved his mettle by donning 123 caps for India. For his organisation consists of one chairperson and a maximum of eight remarkable performances and contributions in the goldwinning other members and out of those eight members four are judicial Indian team at the Asian Games and the Asian Champions Trophy, members who are or have been judges of the Supreme Court or he was also named the Men’s FIH Player of the Year in 2023, chief justices of a high court. adding another feather to the cap of the dynamic talented player. CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 5  The remaining four non-judicial members are people of of Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, and Togdan Rinpoche, impeccable integrity and outstanding ability who have special spiritual leader of the Drikung Kagyu Tradition in Ladakh, were knowledge and expertise of not less than twenty-five years in conferred with Padma Bhushan posthumously. matters relating to anticorruption policy, public administration, Young Liu, chairman of Taiwan’s Foxconn Group, has vigilance, finance, including insurance and banking, law and also been conferred with a Padma Bhushan. Actor Mithun management. Chakraborty; singer Usha Uthup; O. Rajagopal, BJP leader from The newly appointed Chairman, Justice Ajay Manikrao Kerala; Tejas Madhusudan Patel, cardiologist from Gujarat; Ram Khanwilkar, is a former judge of the Supreme Court Naik, veteran BJP leader and former Uttar Pradesh Governor; of India. He has also served as the chief justice of the Hormusji N. Cama, senior publisher leading the Gujarati Madhya Pradesh High Court and Himachal Pradesh newspaper Bombay Samachar;industrialist Sita Ram Jindal; High Court and as a judge of the Bombay High Court. veteran Marathi film director Dattatray Ambadas Mayaloo; Hindi The anti-corruption body has been without a full-time chairperson music director Pyarelal Sharma (of Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo); since May 2022. and senior journalist Kundan Vyas have been also conferred with The Lokpal has jurisdiction over the central government Padma Bhushan this year. to inquire into allegations of corruption against its public Padma Shri awards were announced for 34 individuals whose functionaries and for matters connected to corruption. work has been “unsung and unique”. Dukhu Majhi, a tribal 26. Which of the following committee/ commission is related environmentalist from Purulia, West Bengal; K. Chellamal, to the law commission during British India? organic farmer from South Andaman; Sanghthankima from (a) Sargent Plan Mizoram, who runs the largest orphanage in Aizawl, are among (b) MacDonnell Commission Padma Shri awardees this year. (c) Fraser Commission In sports, tennis star Rohan Bopanna, veteran squash player (d) Macaulay Commission Joshna Chinappa, hockey player Harbinder Singh, Mallakhamb practitioner Uday Deshpande, archer Purima Mahtao, para 27. The Government has constituted the Law Commission of badminton coach Gaurav Khanna and para swimmer Satendra India for a period of ----- year with effect from February, Singh Lohia were chosen for the Padma Shri honour. 2020. For the year 2024, the President approved conferment of (a) three (b) four 132 Padma awards, up from 106 such awards last year. The list (c) five (d) six comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 28. When did The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 came into Padma Shri awards. While 30 awardees are women, the list also force? includes nine persons from the category of “Foreigners/NRI/PIO/ (a) January 2013 (b) May 2013 OCl” and nine posthumous awardees. (c) December 2014 (d) January 2014 Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the “change- 29. Who appoints the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta? makers” who were selected for the Padma awards for their (a) Governor of the state distinguished contribution to different fields. (b) Chief Minister Mr. Shah posted on X, “PM Shri @narendramodi has (c) Speaker of Lok Sabha rationalized the Padma Awards ceremony to make it a platform to appreciate individuals setting pioneering examples for social (d) Judge of High Court change. The individuals conferred with the Padma Awards have 30. Which state’s Lokayukta’s office is considered to be the not only created brilliant examples for others to follow but also strongest in terms of power and scope? have elevated the pride of the nation with their service.” (a) Bihar (b) Karnataka 31 What are Padma Awards? (c) Andhra Pradesh (d) Maharashtra (a) The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian Directions (31-35) Read the following passage and answer the honours of India announced annually on the eve of given questions. Republic Day. Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, actors (b) The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Chiranjeevi and Vyjayanthimala Bali, and Bharatanatyam Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), dancer Padma Subrahmanyam will be conferred with Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian and Padma Shri (distinguished service). award, the Central government announced on the eve of Republic (c) The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields Day. Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International, will be of activities or disciplines where an element of public conferred with the award posthumously. Late actor Vijayakant, service is involved. M. Fathima Beevi, the first female judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court of India, Satyabrata Mookherjee, former president (d) All of the above 6 CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 PW  32. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, is It also witnessed the maiden participation of an all-women announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day Tri-Service contingent marching down the Kartavya Path. except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1978 and Women pilots also enthralled the audience during the Fly-past, 1979 and _______. representing nari shakti (women’s power). The contingents of (a) 1993 to 1997 (b) 1997 to 2000 the Central Armed Police Forces also consisted of only women (c) 2001 to 2004 (d) 2005 to 2008 personnel. 33. How many posthumous Padma Awards have been announced The parade began at 10.30 a.m., when Prime Minister Narendra this year? Modi visited the National War Memorial, where he paid solemn (a) 8 (b) 9 tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath. (c) 10 (d) 12 The President of India and her French counterpart were escorted 34. Which among the following is the third highest civilian by the President’s bodyguard - ‘Rashtrapati ke angrakshak’ which award in the Republic of India? is the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army. (a) Padma Vibhushan (b) Padma Bhushan This elite Regiment as the ‘angrakshak’ (bodyguard) have (c) Padma Shri (d) Bharat Ratna completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773. The two Presidents arrived in the traditional buggy, the practice which is 35 Match the following: making a comeback after a gap of 40 years. (i) Awarded for exceptional and (a) Padma Shri As people patiently waited for the sun to shine, India’s distinguished service National Flag was unfurled by Major Saumya Shukla ASC, which (ii) Awarded for distinguished was followed by the National Anthem with a booming 21-gun (b) Padma Vibhush an service in any field. salute given with indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field (iii) Awarded for exceptional Guns. Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of 105 Helicopter Unit showered service/performance of the flower petals on the audience present at Kartavya Path. (c) Padma Bhushan highest order in any field of The parade then commenced with the President, who took human endeavour. the salute. The parade was commanded by Parade Commander, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer (iv) Awarded for distinguished (d) Bharat Bhusha Commanding, Delhi Area, a secondgeneration Army officer. service of a high order. Major General Sumit Mehta, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area was (a) a-iv, b-ii, c-iii, d-i (b) a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i the Parade Second-in-Command. (c) a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii (d) a-i, b-iii, c-ii, d-iv 36. When was the first Republic Day celebrated in India? Directions (36-40) Read the following passage and answer the (a) 1930 (b) 1947 given questions. (c) 1950 (d) 1942 Despite the cold and thick layer of fog covering the national capital, lakhs of people reached the Kartavya Path as President 37. Which military tradition is followed during the Republic Droupadi Murmu led the processions of India’s 75th Republic Day. Day parade? A show of culture, diversity, military strength, (a) Changing of the Guard women empowerment, and above all a show of (b) Beating Retreat ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) and ‘Bharat - (c) Trooping the Colour Loktantra ki Matruka,’ (India - mother of democracy) this (d) Reveille diamond jubilee for India was led by the accomplished women 38. Who was the first woman to lead the Republic Day Parade of the nation. as the Parade Commander? The celebrations took place in New Delhi, with French (a) Captain Tania Shergill President Emmanuel Macron as the Chief Guest. The cultural vibrance of India was on full display this year, with over 13,000 (b) Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth special guest - an initiative which provided an opportunity to (c) Captain Divya Ajith people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and (d) Assistant Commandant Komalpreet Kaur encourage ‘jan bhagidari’ (people’s participation). 39. Who conducts the selection process for R-Day parade Throughout the parade, 13,000 women reached the centre tableaux? stage in a display of national strength and vibrance. (a) Ministry of Aviation For the first time ever, the parade was heralded by over 100 (b) Minstry of Defence women artists who played Indian musical instruments. The parade commenced with the music of Sankh, Naadswaram, Nagada, etc. (c) Prime Minister which was played by women artists. (d) NCC and Defence Minister CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 7  40. Which of the following statements is/are TRUE about ‘21 In a major announcement, the Finance Minister said, the gun salutes’? scheme of fifty-year interest free loan for capital expenditure 1. The 21 gun salute is considered the highest honor of the to states will be continued this year with total outlay of Rs 1.3 country. lakh crore. A provision of seventy-five thousand crore rupees 2. This salute is given during Independence Day, Republic as fifty-year interest free loan is proposed this year to support Day or in honor of the country’s supreme leader. the milestonelinked reforms of Viksit Bharat by the State 3. The headquarters of this traditional regiment is in Delhi Governments. and it has about 122 soldiers. 41. Consider the following statement (s) is/are related to the (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 annual financial statement (Budget): (c) Only 3 (d) 1 and 2 I. The annual financial statement is divided into three parts, Directions (41-45) Read the following passage and answer the consolidated fund, contingency fund and public account. given questions. II. All revenues raised by the government, money borrowed The Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Smt Nirmala and receipts from loans given by the government flow Sitharaman, while presenting the Interim Union Budget for 2024- into the consolidated fund of India. 2025 in Parliament today announced that the capital expenditure III. Article 112 of the Constitution requires the government outlay for the next year is being increased by 11.1 per cent to Rs to present to Parliament a statement of estimated receipts crore, which would be 3.4 per cent of the GDP. and expenditure in respect of every financial year. She said, this is in the wake of building on the massive tripling Select the correct statement (s): of the capital expenditure outlay in the past 4 years resulting in (a) Only I (b) Only II huge multiplier impact on economic growth and employment creation. (c) Both I & II (d) I, II and III As per the First Advance Estimates of National Income of FY 42. Select the correct component of the Components of the 2023-24, presented along with the Finance Minister’s speech, Union (Central) Budget of India? India’s Real GDP is projected to grow at 7.3 per cent. This is (a) Revenue Budget (b) Capital Budget also in line with the upward revision in growth projections for (c) Expenditure Budget (d) Both A & B by the (in its December 2023 Monetary Policy Committee 43. The budget was formally introduced in India in: meeting) from 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent, prompted by strong growth in Q2 of FY2023-24. Indian economy has demonstrated (a) 1860 (b) 1947 resilience and maintained healthy macro-economic fundamentals, (c) 1950 (d) 1868 despite global economic challenges. The International Monetary 44. Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Fund (IMF), in its World Economic Outlook (WEO), October presentation of the Union Budget? 2023, has revised its growth projection for India for FY2023- (a) Article 114 (b) Article 265 24 upwards to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent projected in July 2023. This reflects increasing global confidence in India’s (c) Article 112 (d) Article 280 economic prowess at a time when global growth projection for 45. For which consecutive term did Nirmala Sitharaman present 2023 remains unchanged at 3 per cent. the Union Budget in the year 2024? As per the IMF, India is likely to become the third-largest (a) 5th time (b) 6th time economy in 2027 (in USD at market exchange rate) and it also (c) 7th time (d) 8th time estimated that India’s contribution to global growth will rise Directions (46-50) Read the following passage and answer the by 200 basis points in 5 years. Moreover, various international given questions. agencies such as the World Bank, the IMF, OECD and ADB project India to grow between 6.4 per cent, 6.3 per cent, 6.1 per Renowned Urdu poet and lyricist Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar cent and 6.7 per cent, respectively in 2024-25. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award, the selection committee of India’s The Finance Minister stated that strong growth in economic highest literary award announced on Saturday. activity has imparted buoyancy to revenue collections and pointed out that GST collection stood at ₹1.65 lakh crore in December In a statement, the Jnanpith selection committee said, “It has 2023.This is the seventh-time that gross GST revenues have been decided to give the award (for 2023) to eminent writers from crossed ₹1.6 lakh crore benchmark. two languages: Sanskrit litterateur Jagadguru Rambhadracharya She said, coming to 2024-25, the total receipts other than and well-known Urdu litterateur Shri Gulzar.” borrowings and the total expenditure are estimated at Rs 30.80 Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known as Gulzar, 89, is and 47.66 lakh crore respectively. The tax receipts are estimated celebrated for his works in Hindi cinema and is considered one of at Rs 26.02 lakh crore. the finest Urdu poets of this era. 8 CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 PW  Rambhadracharya, 74 , the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “This is a in Chitrakoot, is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader, educator, and historic day. Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s writer of more than 240 books and texts, including four epics. table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions. Gulzar is also the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award for After over 200 years of non-alignment Sweden now enjoys the Urdu in 2002, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, the Padma protection granted under Article 5 , the ultimate guarantee of Bhushan in 2004, and at least five National Film awards for his Allies’ freedom and security. Sweden brings with it capable armed works. forces and a first-class defence industry. Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Some of his finest works include the song “Jai Ho” for the film Sweden safer and the whole Alliance more secure. Today’s “Slumdog Millionaire”, which received an Oscar award in 2009 accession demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open and that and Grammy Award in 2010, and songs for critically acclaimed every nation has the right to choose its own path.” films such as “Maachhis” (1996), “Omkara” (2006), “Dil Se...” (1998), and “Guru” (2007), among others. Sweden’s flag will be raised alongside those of the other 31 Allies in a ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday Gulzar also directed some timeless awardwinning classics, (11 March 2024), and simultaneously at NATO commands across including “Koshish” (1972), “Parichay” (1972), “Mausam” Europe and North America. (1975), “ljaazat” (1977), and the television serial “Mirza Ghalib” (1988). Why has Sweden joined NATO? “Along with his long film journey, Gulzar has been setting new It is the Government’s assessment that joining NATO is the best way for Sweden to protect its security. milestones in the field of literature. In poetry, he invented a new genre ‘Triveni’ which is a non-mukaffa poem of three lines. Gulzar In December 2021, Russia expressed farreaching demands for has always created something new through his poetry. For some a fundamentally changed European security order. These demands time now he has also been paying serious attention to children’s included the creation of spheres of influence, and influence over poetry,” Bharatiya Jnanpith said in a statement. Rambhadracharya other states’ security policy choices. The full-scale invasion of is one of the four Jagadguru Ramanandacharyas of the Ramananda Ukraine on 24 February 2022 is an additional and exceptionally sect and has been holding this position since 1982. serious expression of this ambition. A polyglot, who speaks 22 languages, Rambhadracharya is a Russia’s actions have brought about a major deterioration of poet and writer in several Indian languages including Sanskrit, the security environment in Sweden’s neighbourhood. NATO Hindi, Awadhi, and Maithili. membership and the build-up of Sweden’s defence are direct consequences of this insight. 46. When was Jnanpith Award instituted? The Government at the time decided to apply for NATO (a) 1951 (b) 1954 membership on 16 May 2022. The decision was based on a report (c) 1961 (d) 1985 (see link below) by the cross-party working group appointed 47. What is the reward money of Jnanpith Award? by the Government to review the changed security situation (a) Rs. 5 lac (b) Rs. 10 lac following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. (c) Rs. 12 lac (d) Rs. 11 lac 51. Where is NATO’s headquarters? 48. Raghuveer Chaudhari won the Jnanpith Award for...... (a) Sweden (b) Ukraine literature. (c) Belgium (d) Russia (a) Hindi (b) Marathi 52. Who has served as the 13th secretary general of NATO since (c) Gujarati (d) Tamil 2014? (a) Jens Stoltenberg (b) Joseph Luns 49. Jnanpith Award is given for.......languages. (c) Dirk Stikker (d) Manlio Brosio (a) 14 (b) 15 53. The foundations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (c) 24 (d) 23 (NATO) were officially laid down on 50. In which year, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya received the (a) 4 April 1949 (b) 5 April 1949 Padma Vibhushan award? (c) 6 April 1949 (d) 8 April 1949 (a) 2015 (b) 2016 54. Which is the largest island of Sweden? (c) 2017 (d) 2018 (a) Oland (b) Gotland Directions (51-55) Read the following passage and answer the given questions. (c) Kattegat (d) Bear Island 55. Who has been serving as Prime Minister of Sweden? Sweden became NATO’s newest member on Thursday (7 March 2024), upon depositing its instrument of accession to the (a) Magdalena Andersson North Atlantic Treaty with the Government of the United States (b) Emmanuel Macron in Washington DC. With Sweden’s accession, NATO now counts (c) Ulf Hjalmar Kristersson 32 countries among its members. (d) Tamas Sulyok CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 9 Directions (56-60) Read the following passage and answer the “I was asked about how the policy was drafted, why and in which given questions. way it came about...for around five hours. I was asked whether I knew Directorate on Saturday questioned Delhi minister Kailash Vijay Nair personally, I was told that he was staying at my Gahlot for close to five hours in connection with the Delhi excise house... that house is allotted in my name, there is no denying that, but neither did I stay there nor ever shift to it. The party’s policy case. He is the third senior AAP minister to be examined stand regarding the case is my stand as well: there is no such scam in the case after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his and you get convinced about this fact going forward,” the AAP former deputy Manish Sisodia, both of whom were subsequently minister said. placed under arrest. 56. What was the primary objective of the Delhi Excise Policy Terming the ED’s move as “open vendetta” against the AAP, introduced in November 2021? senior party leader and minister Atishi alleged that the probe is a (a) The policy sought to break the monopoly of liquor BJP conspiracy to topple the AAP government in Delhi. vendors and promote a more competitive market by Sources in the AAP alleged that the BJP-led Centre wants allowing more players to participate in the industry. to “finish” the party and destabilise its government in Delhi by (b) It aimed to provide consumers with a wider range of “creating an administrative crisis” so that it can impose President’s choices by allowing more retail outlets and facilitating Rule and take over governance of the national capital through the the availability of different brands and types of alcohol. Lieutenant Governor. (c) By streamlining the licensing process and increasing The Delhi BJP said the ED action only shows that the AAP the number of liquor shops, the policy aimed to enhance leaders and their government in Delhi are neck-deep in corruption. state revenue through excise duties and license fees. On Saturday morning, the ED issued summons - for the (d) All of the above second time - to Gahlot, asking him to join its money laundering 57. Why was Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrested in investigation. connection with this case? Gahlot, who holds significant portfolios such as Home, (a) For accepting bribes from liquor businesses Transport, Information & Technology among others, was (b) For violating the excise policy summoned as he was a member of the Group of Ministers (GOM), (c) For failing to comply with ED summonses which oversaw the formulation of the now-scrapped excise policy. (d) For influencing elections in Punjab and Goa Also, according to the ED, AAP communications in-charge 58. What financial losses were alleged in the Delhi Excise Policy Vijay Nair, who was earlier arrested in the case, allegedly stayed Case? in an official bungalow allotted in Gahlot’s name near Kejriwal’s (a) Over Rs 580 crore Civil Lines residence. The ED claims Nair was the key link with (b) Over Rs 1,000 crore the ‘South Group’ liquor business owners from south India who (c) Over Rs 200 crore allegedly benefited from the new policy. (d) Over Rs 300 crore “I answered all the questions that were asked by the ED, I 59. Which legislation empowers the ED to prevent money have cooperated... I was questioned for five hours - from 11.30 laundering and confiscate proceeds of crime? am to 4.30 pm. I was not confronted with the Chief Minister,” (a) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 Gahlot told reporters after emerging from the ED headquarters in the evening. (b) Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) (c) Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) “The house where Vijay Nair was staying is certainly allotted in my name but till this day, like before, I stay at my private (d) Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA) residence in Vasant Kunj. I never shifted or stayed at the bungalow 60. What is the role of the ED under the Foreign Exchange allotted in my name in Civil Lines,” he said. Management Act (FEMA)? According to Gahlot, he received the first ED summons (a) Investigating tax evasion cases around a month ago. “This was the second summons issued to (b) Regulating stock market transactions me... the first was sent during the Budget Session of the Assembly (c) Conducting investigations into suspected foreign around a month ago. I had sought time (to appear) since Assembly exchange contraventions proceedings related to the Budget Session were on,” he said. (d) Enforcing consumer protection laws Gahlot said the central probe agency’s questions largely Directions (61-65) Read the following passage and answer the revolved around the GoM, which formulated the excise policy. “I given questions. was, without a doubt, part of the GoM. The policy and all aspects The consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya was held related to it were discussed and I was asked questions related today, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the rituals. to these which I answered to the best of my knowledge and my Following the consecration, the shrine will be opened to the memory,” he said. public a day later. 10 CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 PW  The “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony began at 12.20 p.m. following 62. Which epic is primarily associated with Lord Rama and which Mr. Modi addressed a gathering of more than 7,000 people, Ayodhya? including seers and prominent personalities, at the venue. “Today, (a) Mahabharata (b) Ramayana our Ram has arrived. After a long wait for ages, our Ram has (c) Bhagavad Gita (d) Skanda Purana arrived,” PM Modi said, adding that “Our Ram Lalla will no longer live in a tent. Our Ram Lalla will stay in a magnificent 63. What was the name of the structure demolished at the temple.” disputed site in 1992? The consecration ceremony was held after the first phase of (a) Babur Mahal (b) Babri Masjid the temple’s construction, made possible by a Supreme Court (c) Ayodhya Darbar (d) Sita Mata Mandir judgment in 2019 on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title 64. What is the name of the trust behind the construction of the suit. The Hindu litigants argued that the Babri Mosque was Ram Mandir? constructed at the site of a temple marking the birthplace of Lord (a) Shri Ayodhya Dharmarth Samiti Ram. In 1992, the 16th-century mosque was demolished by “kar sevaks”. (b) Rama Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (c) Vishva Hindu Parishad Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kuber Tila on the Ram temple premises in Ayodhya and offered worship to Lord (d) Indian Archaeological Society Shiva there. 65. Who sculpted the idols of Ram Lalla for the Ram Mandir? He performed ‘jalabhishek’ (offering water on the ‘Shiva (a) K. G. Subramaniam lyer linga’) and also did a ‘parikrama’ (circumambulation) of the (b) Ram Sutar temple. (c) Arun Yogiraj The ancient Shiv temple located on the Kuber Tila in the Ram (d) M. F. Husain Janmabhoomi complex is also being renovated by the Shri Ram Directions (66-70) Read the following passage and answer the Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is constructing the Ram temple. given questions. A book on Ayodhya, a metal ‘diya’, a special ‘mala’ and a scarf The Uniform Civil Code Bill 2024, which was passed by the bearing the name of Lord Ram are among the items that have been Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, received President Droupadi gifted to the guests who attended the consecration ceremony at Murmu’s assent and will be implemented in the state. Uttarakhand the temple here on Monday. is the first state in the country after Independence to adopt the Uniform Civil Code law. It was a long-standing promise of the The gifts were in a bag that had a graphic image of the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its government in Uttarakhand. temple and of Lord Ram in a very young avatar. On February 7, the Bill was passed by a voice vote in the The book is titled ‘Ayodhya Dham - The Lord’s Abode’ which Uttarakhand Assembly at the end of a two-day special session. also carries the image of the old idol of Ram Lalla on its cover. ‘Under Article 201 of the ‘Constitution of India’, the President The ‘mala’ has come up with a fabric pouch that bears ‘Uttar gave assent to the ‘Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024’ Bill Pradesh Tourism’ and its tagline. passed by the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, on 11 March The guests also received a box of four laddoos, chips, revdi, 2024, and it is published as Act Number 3, the year 2024, of cashew nuts and raisins. Uttarakhand for general information,” the state government said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed Prime Minister in a gazette issued on Wednesday. Narendra Modi after the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in the According to the UCC in Uttarakhand, live-in partners Ayodhya temple, and said he has the blessings of Lord Ram. withhold information or give a false statement in their undertaking, Mr. Singh described the event in Ayodhya as a “revolutionary they can face jail of up to three months and a fine not exceeding work” and said those who witnessed this moment are fortunate. Rs 25,000 or both. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called upon Even a delay in registration, by as little as a month, will trigger people to reaffirm their commitment to the secular credentials of a jail term of up to three months, a fine of Rs 10,000 , or both. the nation and its Constitution by declining to be a part of the As per the proposed UCC, statements of live-in partners will inauguration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya. be forwarded to the officer in charge of a local police station, In his message, released soon after the inauguration of the which will be informed by the authorities if the details provided temple at Ayodhya, Mr. in the statement turn out to be incorrect. Vijayan expressed his concern that of late, the line that The Uttarakhand UCC says that a woman who has been demarcates religion and State seemed to be getting thinner. deserted in a live-in relationship can approach the court and is 61. Ayodhya is located in which state of India? entitled to claim maintenance. (a) Uttar Pradesh (b) Bihar A child in a live-in relationship will be declared the legitimate (c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Gujarat child of the couple under the UCC provisions. CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 11  66. What is Uniform Civil Code? changes. Had we continued with the old Bills, several official 1. Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is defined in our Constitution amendments would have had to be made, so we decided to under Article 44 of Directive Principles of State Policy. introduce new Bills instead. Adequate time, 48 hours, has been given to members to study the Bills...We do not want to pass such 2. It states that it is the duty of the state to secure for the important pieces of legislation in a hurry,” Mr. Shah said while citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory introducing the revised Bills. of India. Section 113 of the revised Bill has modified the definition of (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 the crime of terrorism to entirely adopt the existing definition (c) 1 and 2 (d) None of these under Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 67. Which Article provides that the State shall endeavour to 1967 (UAPA). The UAPA, often labeled as draconian, defines as secure for all citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the a terrorist act any act ‘with intent to threaten or likely to threaten territory of India? the unity, integrity, security economic security, or sovereignty (a) Article 25 (b) Article 44 of India or with intent to strike terror or likely to strike terror in the people or any section of the people in India or in any foreign (c) Article 12 (d) Article 28 country.’ 68. Which Article states Freedom of conscience and free The earlier version of the Bill included within the ambit of a profession, practice and propagation of religion? terrorist act, vague acts such as intimidating the general public or (a) Article 21 (b) Article 23 a segment thereof, disturbing public order, creating an atmosphere (c) Article 24 (d) Article 25 or spreading a message of fear; destabilising or destroying the 69. After Independence, State of ______ has adopted the political, economic, or social structures of the country, or creating a public emergency or undermining public safety. Accordingly, Portuguese Civil Code which enforced UCC for all its citizens. even a non-violent speech could be categorised as a terrorist act (a) Goa (b) Karnataka under this definition. (c) Chennai (d) Uttar Pradesh 71. Sedition has been reintroduced in the new act, which was 70. France and Germany pioneered the global model of uniform kept in abeyance by the SC. When was for the first time civil code in the century. sedition was criminalised in India? (a) 17th (b) 18th (a) 1875 (b) 1868 (c) 19th (d) 20th (c) 1860 (d) 1870 Directions (71-75) Read the following passage and answer the 72. What is the total number of sections in the new criminal given questions. substantive law? Union Home Minister Amit Shah on December 12 introduced (a) 358 (b) 367 three revised Bills in the Lok Sabha to replace the existing (c) 567 (d) 348 British-era criminal laws, after withdrawing the previous 73. The IPC was drafted by the first law commission which was versions, introduced in August this year. The three Bills are set to headed by which English jurist? replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; the Code of Criminal (a) John Marshall (b) Albert Venn Dicey Procedure (CrPC), 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. (c) Thomas Macaulay (d) Thurgood Marshall The IPC will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) 74. Refer to the following sentences and mark the correct answer Sanhita Bill, 2023; the CrPC of 1973 will be replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 whereas the 1. CRPC has been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Indian Evidence Act of 1872 will be replaced by the Bharatiya 2. IPC has been replaced by Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023. Sanhita (BNSS). Following their introduction in August, they were referred to (a) both are correct (b) only one is correct a 31-member Parliamentary Standing Committee, headed by BJP (c) 2 is correct (d) none is correct MP Brij Lal for review. After consulting experts and stakeholders, 75. Which one of the following wrongful act has been the panel adopted its report on the Bills on November 7, with criminalised for the first time in the act? Opposition MPs pointing out several errors and recommending (a) Mob lynching more than 50 changes. In their dissent notes, the Opposition MPs (b) Adultery flagged the lack of diversity in the experts consulted, questioned (c) Unnatural sex the haste with which the new laws are being introduced, and (d) No new act has been criminalised highlighted that they are are ‘largely a copy-paste’ of the existing laws. Directions (76-80) Read the following passage and answer the given questions. “Grammatical and language errors have been corrected. The Bills were examined at length by the Standing Committee and The Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, it was necessary to include the suggestions. There are no major has announced the establishment of a melanistic tiger safari - a groundbreaking initiative that will be the first of its kind globally. 12 CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 PW  The safari is set to be located near Baripada in the Mayurbhanj 79. Which palace is located in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, district of the state, as per the official announcement made by India? Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on , previously known as Twitter. (a) Belgadia Palace Covering an expansive 200-hectare area adjacent to National (b) King Palace Highway 18, the chosen site is approximately away from the (c) Dhenkanal King Palace Similipal Tiger Reserve, featuring a similar landscape. Notably, (d) Rajkanika Palace Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) stands as the sole habitat for 80. In which state was the World’s first White Tiger Safari melanistic tigers worldwide, as per the last All India Tiger opened? Estimation Report released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2018. (a) Odisha (b) Madhya Pradesh The 2022 All India Tiger Estimation revealed that out of (c) Uttar Pradesh (d) West Bengal the 16 tigers recorded in Similipal, 10 displayed melanistic Directions (81-85) Read the following passage and answer the characteristics. This reserve initially reported the presence of given questions. melanistic tigers in 2007. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated This move aims to provide tourists and visitors with a unique to the nation and laid the foundation stone of development projects opportunity to witness the rare and majestic species found worth more than Rs 1150 crores in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep today. exclusively in Odisha. The development projects of today cover a wide range of sectors including technology, energy, water resources, healthcare and Around a couple of years ago, researchers, including scientists education. The Prime Minister handed out laptops to students from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in under the Laptop Scheme and gave away bicycles to school Bengaluru, identified a single gene mutation responsible for black students under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. He also handed out PM stripes and a distinctive pattern in these tigers. The mutation Kisan Credit Cards to farmer and fishermen beneficiaries. in the gene Transmembrane Aminopeptidase (Taqpep) led to Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that the broadening and spreading of black stripes against a tawny the beauty of Lakshadweep is beyond words and mentioned background, creating a pattern known as pseudo-melanism. visiting Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti to meet the citizens. Pseudo-melanism differs from true melanism, characterised by “Even though the geographical area of Lakshadweep is small, the an unusually high deposition of melanin, a dark pigment. The study hearts of the people are as deep as the ocean”, an overwhelmed also highlighted that the melanistic tigers in Similipal may have Prime Minister said as he thanked them for their presence. originated from a small founding population, leading to inbreeding. The Prime Minister indicated the long neglect of remote, The upcoming melanistic tiger safari is expected to house border or coastal and Island areas. “Our government has made surplus tigers from Nandankanan Zoo and rescued/orphaned such areas our priority”, he said. He congratulated the people of tigers unfit for the wild but suitable for display. The open enclosure the area for the projects related to infrastructure, connectivity, will cover about 100 hectares for display purposes, while the water, health and child care. remaining area will be utilised for veterinary care facilities, a The Prime Minister highlighted the efforts of the rescue center, staff infrastructure, and visitor amenities, according government towards the development of Lakshadweep and to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Susanta Nanda. informed about achieving saturation of PM Awas Yojna The Forest Department emphasised that the safari is poised (Gramin), free ration being made available to every beneficiary, to elevate wildlife tourism in Odisha, anticipating a significant distribution of PM Kisan Credit Cards and Ayushman Cards, influx of visitors and establishing itself as an added attraction for and the development of Ayushman Arogya Mandir Health those exploring the Similipal Tiger Reserve. and Wellness Centre. “The Central Government strives to 76. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has deliver all government schemes to every beneficiary”, PM been constituted under _______ of wildlife (Protection) Act, Modi said. Referring to the transparency achieved while 1972. disbursing money to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer, the Prime Minister said that it has curbed corruption to a great (a) section 37 L (1) (b) section 38 L (1) extent. He assured the people of Lakshadweep that those who (c) section 39 L (1) (d) section 40 L (1) tried to snatch away their rights would not be spared at any cost. 77. Global Tiger Day is celebrated every year on which date? The Prime Minister recalled the guarantee given by him in (a) July 26th (b) July 27 th 2020 about ensuring fast internet within 1000 days. Kochi- (c) July 28th (d) July 29th Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI 78. In which year did the Government of India launched an SOFC) project has been dedicated to people today and will ensure ambitious, holistic conservation project, Project Tiger? 100 times faster Internet for the people of Lakshadweep. This will improve facilities like government services, medical treatment, (a) 1970 (b) 1971 education and digital banking. The potential of developing (c) 1972 (d) 1973 Lakshadweep as a logistics hub will get strength from this, he CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 13 added. Referring to the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and a new bilingual website for (LTTD) plant at Kadmat, PM Modi said that the work of providing the Supreme Court. piped water to every household in Lakshadweep is moving at a In his address, the Prime Minister congratulated everyone fast pace. on the occasion, marking the beginning of the Supreme Court’s PM Modi mentioned steps taken for the Haj Yatris that have 75th year. He highlighted the significant role the Supreme Court benefited the people of Lakshadweep too. He noted the ease for plays in upholding the principles of freedom, equality, and justice Haj visa and digitalization of the process for visa and permission outlined in the Indian constitution. for women to go on Haj without ‘Mehram’. These efforts have led PM Modi emphasized the importance of today’s judgments to a significant rise in the number of Indians going for ‘Umrah’, in shaping India’s future and noted the milestone decisions he said. on individual rights and freedom of speech. He outlined the The Prime Minister highlighted India’s effort to increase government’s goals for the next 25 years, underscoring the impact its share in the global seafood market, leading to benefits for of current economic policies on India’s vibrant future. Lakshadweep as local Tuna fish is being exported to Japan. PM Acknowledging the global attention on India, PM Modi urged Modi underlined the possibilities for export quality local fish capitalizing on opportunities in areas such as ease of living, ease that can transform the lives of the fishermen. He also informed of doing business, travel, communication, and ease of justice. He about the exploration of the potential of seaweed farming. He stressed that every Indian citizen has the right to ease of justice, emphasized protecting the fragile ecology of the area and said and the government is prioritizing accessibility to the Supreme the solar power plant at Kavaratti, which is the first-ever battery- Court, even in remote areas. backed solar power project of Lakshadweep is part of such PM Modi highlighted the government’s commitment to initiatives. improving the physical infrastructure of courts and informed 81. Which of the following uninhabited Island of Lakshadweep about the approval of Rs 800 crore for expanding the Supreme has been declared as a bird sanctuary? Court Building Complex. He praised the Chief Justice of India for (a) PITTI (b) Laccadive monitoring the digitization of all courts in the country. (c) Aminidivi (d) Minicoy Commenting on the digital initiatives, PM Modi expressed 82. The inhabitants of the Lakshadweep are listed in which of happiness about decisions being available in a digital format and the following category according to the Scheduled Castes the translation of Supreme Court decisions into local languages. and Scheduled Tribes list (Modification Orders), 1956? He suggested implementing similar technology in other courts for the benefit of common people. (a) Scheduled Castes The Prime Minister concluded by acknowledging the (b) Scheduled Tribes significant role the Supreme Court will play in shaping the (c) Other Backward Class country’s future over the next 25 years. He congratulated the (d) None of the above institution on its 75th anniversary, mentioning the posthumous 83. Which of the following are the two most popular dance forms conferment of Padma Bhushan to M. Fathima Beevi. in the territory of Lakshadweep Islands except Minicoy The event was attended by Chief Justice of India Dr D Y Island? Chandrachud, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram (a) Kolkali and Parichakali Meghwal, and other prominent figures in the legal system. During the celebration, PM Modi launched Digital Supreme Court (b) Oppana and Lava Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and the new bilingual (c) Kolkali and Oppana website for the Supreme Court. The Digital SCR initiative aims to (d) Both A & B make Supreme Court judgments available to citizens free of cost 84. Which of the following is the state animal of the Lakshadweep and in an electronic format. Digital Courts 2.0, under the e-Courts Islands? project, focuses on providing electronic court records to district (a) Bread Fruit (b) Sooty tern court judges, incorporating for real-time transcription. (c) Butterfly fish (d) Golden Plower 86. Which platform hosts the Digital Supreme Court Reports? 85. How many islands comprise the Lakshadweep islands? (a) Supreme Court of India website (a) 36 (b) 46 (b) Indian Judiciary portal (c) 56 (d) 66 (c) Manupatra Directions (86-90) Read the following passage and answer the (d) Westlaw India given questions. 87. Who was a trailblazing Indian jurist who made history by Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee becoming the first woman to be appointed as a judge of the celebration of the Supreme Court of India in Delhi. During Supreme Court of India? the event, he launched several citizen-centric information and (a) Sujata Manohar (b) Ruma Pal technology initiatives, including Digital Supreme Court Reports (c) Gyan Sudha Misra (d) M. Fathima Beevi 14 CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 PW  88. What is the retirement age for judges of the Supreme Court 93. Two major commercial crops of early 19th century India: of India? (a) indigo and opium (a) 62 years (b) 65 years (b) tea and coffee (c) 68 years (d) 70 years (c) rubber and cotton 89. Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the (d) sugarcane and jute establishment and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court? 94. With respect to the new Farm Laws 2020, consider the (a) Article 121 (b) Article 124 following Laws or Bill: (c) Article 132 (d) Article 136 A. Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 90. When was the Supreme Court of India established? B. Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and (a) 1947 (b) 1948 Facilitation) Act, 2020 (c) 1950 (d) 1951 C. Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 Directions (91-95) Read the following passage and answer the D. Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on given questions. Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 Which Laws/Bill amongst the following are a part of the new Farmers protesting in Delhi is not a new incidence. Approximately Farm Laws 2020? two years ago, farmers stepped on the road to put forward their unmet demands in NCT. On February 12, three Union Ministers (a) A, B and D (b) Both B and D met the farmers in Chandigarh for a round of talks. (c) Both C and D (d) All of the above It was on February 13, when groups of farmers began their 95. When was the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, march to New Delhi. The march was intended to bring to the 2020 first enacted? awareness of the government the demands which these farmers (a) 20 April 1955 (b) 1 April 1970 have been demanding for a long period of time. (c) 20 September 1983 (d) 1 April 1955 One of these demands is to incorporate a legal guarantee for Directions (96-100) Read the following passage and answer the purchase of crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP). The the given questions. farmers are also demanding for a farm loan waiver. The government of Gujarat plans to provide a submarine service to As of now, there have been four rounds that have been held assist visitors in discovering the underwater world of Dwarka, an between farmer leaders and the government. However, the talks ancient city thought to be submerged beneath the ocean. have not been able to conclude anything. On February 18, the The state government has inked an agreement with Mazgaon government offered to secure a total of five crops on MSP by Dock shipbuilders for the project in the city, which is known as coming into a contract for a period of five years. However, the the “city of the Hindu God Lord Krishna.” offer by the government was rejected by the protesting farmers. This submarine-based underwater tourism facility will be the One of the most significant issues the protesting farmers wish first in India. According to the present plan, the government wants to throw light on is the fact that there no law on the MSP has bee to operationalize the project before Diwali in October 2024. enacted as of now. Moreover, the farmers argue that the Union According to the project, visitors will be brought in a government is perhaps ignoring to their demands even after submarine to experience underwater marine life 100 meters below repeated appeals. the ocean’s surface. Each submarine will have two expert pilots The MSP stands as the price at which the government promises to and a qualified crew leading the way, accommodating 24 tourists secure agricultural produce for farmers. each. As per studies, not many farmers in India get advantaged The Times of India reported an official project announcement from MSPs. Farmers are of the view that despite the government will be made at the next Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. promised to cater to the demands in the protests earlier, there The government anticipates that the submersible facility will hasn’t been any fast progress on the commitments made to the improve Dwarka’s tourism possibilities. Dwarka is a well-known farmers. temple town in the nation that draws a sizable number of visitors 91. Agricultural Revolution first occurred in: daily. (a) England (b) France Managing Director of Gujarat Tourism Saurabh Pardhi told (c) USA (d) India India Today in an interview that the initiative is a “different project” that will significantly increase travel to this part of 92. Indian farmer was goaded into cultivation of opium by: Gujarat. (a) promise of high prices The holy significance of Dwarka draws crowds of tourists (b) system of advances each year. Hindus travel from far and wide to see the well-known (c) the village headman Dwarkadhish Temple. According to mythical writings, the site is (d) revenue concessions considered a submerged city built by Lord Krishna. CA PRACTICE MODULE-1 15 96. The planned submarine will weigh around______tonnes, 99. Which city is known as the “City of the Hindu God Lord and will be able to accommodate_____ passengers at a time. Krishna”? (a) 25, 10 (b) 35,30 (a) Dwarka (c) 45,40 (d) 55,30 (b) Prayagraj 97. Gujarat to acquire_______submarine to promote under-sea (c) Varanasi tourism. (d) Lucknow (a) ₹50-crore (b) ₹100-crore 100. Who is serving as the current Chief Minister of Gujarat since (c) ₹200-crore (d) ₹300-crore 2021? 98. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, formerly called (a) Vijay Rupani Mazagon Dock Limited, is a shipyard located at which place? (b) Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel (a) Goa (b) Kolkata (c) Narendra Modi (c) Kochi (d) Mumbai (d) Anandiben Patel Answer Key 1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (a) 6. (a) 7. (b) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (d) 11. (c) 12. (d) 13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (a) 16. (b) 17. (a) 18. (d) 19. (c) 20. (a) 21. (b) 22. (b) 23. (a) 24. (c) 25. (a) 26. (d) 27. (a) 28. (d) 29. (a) 30. (b) 31. (d) 32. (a) 33. (b) 34. (b) 35. (c) 36. (c)